Container Storage Apparatus

The present invention relates to a container storage apparatus.

In the field of an automatic analyzer that performs qualitative and quantitative analysis of a sample such as blood or urine (hereinafter referred to as a specimen), a technique of transferring a reagent, a specimen, or the like between a storage unit and an analysis processing unit has been disclosed (see PTL 1).

PTL 1: Japanese Patent No. 4147596

In PTL 1, only provision of bottles for storing various solutions such as a cleaning solution, a storage for storing various reagents, and the like is shown, and a method for storing a container is not considered at all.

That is, in the current container storage management for an automatic analyzer, there is a problem that a user needs to go to an external refrigerator to retrieve a detergent and an accuracy control specimen for each use. There is also a problem that a cleaning process and accuracy control are separately performed.

Therefore, an object of the invention is to provide a highly reliable container storage apparatus in which management of a containers is simplified.

A container storage apparatus according to an aspect of the invention is connectable to an analyzer configured to analyze a specimen and carries in and out a container between the container storage apparatus and the analyzer, the container storage apparatus including: a container storage unit configured to store a plurality of first containers containing a first liquid to be used for analysis of a specimen and a plurality of second containers containing a second liquid to be used for maintenance of the analyzer; and a refrigeration unit configured to refrigerate the container storage unit.

According to the invention, it is possible to provide a highly reliable container storage apparatus that facilitates management of a container.

4 4 4 f b g Hereinafter, an embodiment of the invention will be described in order with reference to the drawings. The embodiment is an embodiment of a container storage apparatus that can be connected to an analyzer configured to analyze a specimen and that carries a container in and out between the analyzer and the container storage apparatus, the container storage apparatus including: a container storage unit configured to store a plurality of first containers that contain a first liquid to be used for analysis of a specimen and a plurality of second containers that contain a second liquid to be used for maintenance of the analyzer; and a refrigeration unit configured to refrigerate the container storage unit. The phrase “used for analysis of a specimen” related to the first liquid also includes the meaning of “used for calibration of a reagent or accuracy control of analysis” or “correctly executing analysis”. That is, the first liquid is assumed to be an accuracy control specimen or a standard solution. The second liquid used for maintenance of the analyzer is assumed to be a cleaning solution (including a detergent used for cleaning the analyzer and cleaning water. Hereinafter, it is mainly referred to as a “detergent”). Further, the container storage unit capable of storing a plurality of first containers and second containers corresponds to a discincluding a compartmentdescribed later, and the refrigeration unit corresponds to a refrigeration unitdescribed later.

1 FIG. is a diagram illustrating an example of an automatic analysis system in which a container storage apparatus is connected to an automatic analyzer (hereinafter, an analyzer).

1 18 17 5 6 18 1 11 3 17 18 17 12 18 17 9 17 17 18 9 A rack loading unitof an automatic analysis system is a loading unit for loading a rack, on which a plurality of containerscan be placed, into an analyzerand/or an analyzer, and is capable of automatically loading a plurality of rackssequentially that are placed simultaneously by an operator. The rack loading unitis provided with a rack ID acquisition unitconfigured to read identification information (ID) given in the form of a bar code, an IC tag, or the like attached to a rack, and a container ID acquisition unitconfigured to read identification information (ID) given to each containerin the form of a bar code, an IC tag, or the like. The identification information is read for each rackor containerloaded by the operator and is output to a control unit. The rackand the container, for which reading of the identification information is completed, are sequentially sent to a feed transport line. As the container, any container may be used as long as the container conforms to a predetermined standard. For example, a test tube, a blood collection container, or the like is used in addition to a specimen container dedicated to an analyzer. One or more (five in the embodiment) containersare held in the rack, and are transported to the feed transport linein units of racks.

1 FIG. 12 4 4 5 6 9 10 shows that the control unitof a container storage apparatusis also used as a control unit of the entire automatic analysis system. However, the control unit may be independent for each of the container storage apparatus, the analyzersand, and transport lines (the feed transport lineand a return transport line).

9 18 1 16 2 4 5 6 10 18 16 18 5 6 12 The feed transport lineis a path for feeding the rackfrom the rack loading unitto a rack collection unitvia a rack storage unit, the container storage apparatus, the analyzersand, and the like. The return transport lineis a path for returning the rackto the rack collection unit. These transport lines transport the rackto each of the analyzersandbased on an instruction from the control unit.

2 18 2 18 1 9 18 10 18 2 2 2 18 13 a b b The rack storage unittemporarily stores the rack, and includes a rack moving mechanismthat carries out the rackloaded from the rack loading unitto the feed transport line, takes in the rackfrom the return transport line, and moves the rackto a plurality of storage positionsprovided in the rack storage unit. Information on the storage positionof each rackand specimen information are managed in association with each other and stored in a memory.

4 17 5 6 4 4 18 9 18 9 4 4 18 4 17 4 17 4 4 17 4 17 4 4 4 4 17 4 4 4 4 17 4 17 4 e a e c d f b g b f g h g h g h b g The container storage apparatusis an apparatus capable of storing the containersuch as a container containing a detergent, a container containing an accuracy control specimen, a container containing a standard solution, and/or an empty container, and can be connected to the analyzersandthat analyze a specimen. The container storage apparatusis configured including: a transfer linehaving a function of taking in the rackfrom the feed transport lineand sending out the rackto the feed transport line; an identification information readeradjacent to the transfer lineand configured to read identification information of the rack; a container ID acquisition unitconfigured to read identification information of the container; a robot arm (hereinafter, arm)configured to grip the container; the discthat has compartmentsarranged concentrically or in parallel and is rotatable in a horizontal direction, the compartment being capable of storing the container; the refrigeration unitconfigured to cool the containerstored in the compartmentin the disc; a lid (not shown) located above the refrigeration unitand having an opening portion; and a shutterhaving a function of opening and closing the lid for taking the containerinto and out of the refrigeration unit. The shuttercovers the opening portion of the lid during standby, and keeps a temperature of the refrigeration unitfixed. The shutteris opened before storing the containerin the compartmentor before taking out the container, and the refrigeration unitcan be accessed from the outside.

1 FIG. 4 9 10 4 Althoughillustrates a configuration in which the container storage apparatusincludes the feed transport lineand the return transport line, the container storage apparatusmay not include a transport line, and may be configured to be connectable to a transport line when connected to another device.

5 6 5 6 9 18 9 18 9 10 5 6 5 6 18 17 5 6 5 6 5 6 5 6 5 6 a a b b a a c c d d g g d d f f The analyzersandare, for example, an ion selective electrode (ISE) analysis unit, and are configured including: sampling linesandthat are detachably provided with respect to the feed transport lineand have functions of taking in the rackfrom the feed transport line, moving to a sampling position, and sending out the rackto the feed transport lineor the return transport line; identification information readersandprovided at the respective sampling linesandand configured to read identification information of the rackand the container; pipettersandconfigured to aspirate a specimen to be analyzed or a detergent; diluent tanksandin which a specimen to be analyzed and a reagent are mixed; tubesandfor feeding a test solution obtained by mixing the specimen to be analyzed and the reagent in the diluent tanksand; ion selective electrodesandconfigured to measure an electrolyte concentration in the test solution; and a computer configured to control the analyzers.

5 6 The analyzersandmay be an analysis unit that mixes a specimen and a reagent in a reaction container (not shown) held on a reaction disc (incubator) to cause a reaction therebetween and measures absorbance of a reaction liquid with a photometer to analyze biochemical components in the specimen, or may be an immunoassay unit that mixes a specimen and a reagent in a reaction container held on a reaction disc (incubator) to cause a reaction therebetween and analyzes trace components in blood such as hormones in the specimen with high sensitivity.

12 5 6 9 10 12 13 14 15 13 12 The control unitcontrols necessary portions of each of the analyzersand, controls mechanisms related to the feed transport lineand the return transport line, and executes calculation and control necessary for various types of information processing. The control unitis provided with the memory, and is connected to an operation unitfor inputting various types of data and instructions and a display unitfor displaying information on a screen. As the memory, for example, a built-in hard disk can be used. Examples of program used in the control unitinclude a program for executing cleaning processing, a control program for executing analysis processing on a specimen to be analyzed, a program for executing carry-out processing of a detergent, an accuracy control specimen, or the like based on a preset time or container carry-out rule, and check processing for managing availability of a detergent or an accuracy control specimen.

17 4 17 18 18 1 18 1 9 11 4 4 17 18 4 4 4 17 4 17 18 4 4 4 17 4 4 e e d c c b f d g b The container storage is a process of storing the containerin the container storage apparatusin advance. When storing a new container, the containerfor which a specimen code is registered in the memory in advance by a user is placed on the rackhaving a rack ID included in a rack range (range of rack ID) registered in advance by the user, and the rackis placed on the rack loading unit. The rackplaced on the rack loading unitis moved to the feed transport line, is identified as a rack for the container storage apparatus by the rack ID acquisition unit, and is transported to the transfer lineof the container storage apparatus. The containerplaced on the racktransported to the transfer lineis gripped by the armand is moved to the container ID acquisition unit. An identifier attached to the containeris read by the container ID acquisition unit, and the containeris transferred from the rackinto the compartmentof the discusing the arm. The transferred containeris stored in the refrigeration unitin a cooled state until an instruction of taking out from the compartmentis given.

17 4 5 6 18 5 6 5 6 10 5 6 17 2 17 2 4 4 4 4 a a c c e b d When the containertransported from the container storage apparatusto the analyzersandis to be stored again, the racktransported to the sampling linesandof the analyzersandis transported to the return transport lineafter the pipettersandaccess the container, and is transported to the rack storage unit. The containeris moved from the rack storage unitto the transfer lineof the container storage apparatus, and is stored in the compartmentby using the armas described above.

17 4 The container taking-out is a process of taking out the containerstored in the container storage apparatus, and is performed in a reverse procedure to the container storage.

200 300 15 12 14 4 200 300 500 3 4 FIGS.and Setting of container storage and container taking-out is performed by displaying a registration information screenor(see, and the like described later) or the like on the display unitby control of the control unitand performing an operation on the operation unit. That is, registration and update of information on the detergent and the accuracy control specimen are to set a protocol of taking out the detergent and the accuracy control specimen s from the container storage apparatus, and the container information registration screen, the rack range setting screen, a group registration setting screen, and the like constitute a container taking-out protocol setting screen.

In the embodiment, the setting and operations of container carry-out will be described with an example in which, after a detergent used for device maintenance is taken out from a container storage unit, an accuracy control specimen used for accuracy control is taken out.

A transport protocol can be set in the same manner in a case where a detergent needs to be taken out after an accuracy control specimen or a standard solution is taken out.

2 FIG. 100 15 100 106 127 131 5 6 132 is a diagram illustrating an example of a main screendisplayed on the display unit. The main screenis provided with an information display areafor displaying various types of information, various instruction buttonstofor instructing operations of the analyzersand, and a help buttonfor displaying information for assisting the operation of the operator.

106 101 102 103 104 105 106 105 111 106 2 FIG. The information display areais provided with a routine operation tab, a reagent tab, a calibration tab, an accuracy control tab, and a container storage tab, and by selecting these tabs, target information can be displayed in the information display area.illustrates a case where the container storage tabis selected and a container storage setting areafor displaying information on container storage is displayed in the information display area.

106 107 108 109 111 108 111 2 FIG. The container storage information display areais provided with a situation tab, a setting tab, and a carry-out time tab, and by selecting these tabs, target information can be displayed in the container storage setting area.illustrates a case where the setting tabis selected and information on settings of a detergent, an accuracy control specimen, and an empty container is displayed in the container storage setting area.

108 111 112 113 114 115 116 117 118 119 120 121 123 124 200 122 125 122 126 300 133 500 134 122 When the setting tabis selected, in the container storage setting area, the following are displayed: a disc position column, a sample name column, a type column, a sample code column, a lot number column, a rack supply form column, a remaining amount column, an automatic carry-out column, a cooperation carry-out column, a usability column, a scroll buttonfor rolling a display area of these types of information, a container information registration buttonfor displaying the container information registration screenwhen newly registering a detergent or an accuracy control specimen or when confirming container information selected by a cursor, a container information deletion buttonfor deleting container information selected by the cursor, a rack registration buttonfor displaying the rack range setting screen, a group registration buttonfor displaying the group registration setting screen, and an analysis item registration buttonfor displaying a screen (not shown) for confirming a measurement condition of a sample selected by the cursor.

134 On the screen (not shown) for confirming the measurement condition displayed by the instruction of the analysis item registration button, matters are set such as which measurement item the specimen corresponds to, and under which condition a measurement request is automatically created (container carry-out processing execution interval (a period of time), container carry-out processing execution interval (number of specimens), whether to measure another specimen for confirmation when a measurement result indicates an abnormality, whether to carry out the container at the time of new reagent registration, and whether to carry out the container at the time of changing a calibration curve).

113 121 12 13 4 12 Regarding information on a registered accuracy control specimen, in addition to the information shown in the display columnsto(however, partially overlapping), the control unitstores, in the memoryor the like, as specimen state information, usability indicating whether the specimen is usable for measurement, storage period (OBS) after the specimen is stored in the container storage apparatus, a remaining amount of a detergent, a remaining amount of the accuracy control specimen, measurements indicating the number of times used for measurement, an expiration date, and a container unique number for identifying a different container in the same lot. In addition, the control unitcan display and select, as alarms to be notified, unregistered container, specimen remaining amount insufficiency, empty rack insufficiency, passing of specimen expiration date, passing of specimen OBS, and the like in a list format.

100 127 131 127 128 129 130 131 The main screenis provided with the instruction buttonstofor the operator to instruct the operation of the automatic analyzer. As the instruction buttons, the stop buttonfor stopping the automatic analyzer, the sample stop buttonfor stopping sampling, the alarm buttonfor notifying an abnormality of the device, the print buttonfor instructing printing, and the start buttonfor starting the automatic analyzer are provided.

3 FIG. 4 FIG. 3 FIG. 4 FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a container information registration screen.is a diagram illustrating an example of a rack range setting screen.illustrates a case of setting a new container.illustrates a case of setting rack allocation for temporary storage in the rack storage unitfor automatic container carry-out.

3 FIG. 200 201 202 226 201 202 100 227 201 202 100 In, the container information registration screenis provided with a basic information areafor inputting basic information of a container, a container carry-out information areafor inputting information on container carry-out, a registration/update buttonfor registering a container or updating container information with content input to the information areasandand returning to the main screen, and a cancellation buttonfor discarding the content input to information areas,and returning to the main screen.

201 202 209 202 203 204 205 206 207 208 209 14 204 The basic information areais provided with input fieldstofor inputting a rack supply form, a sample name, a type, a sample code, a lot number, an expiration date, a capacity (μL), and a storage period in storage apparatus. The input to each input field may be direct input by an input means (for example, a keyboard or a pointing device) of the operation unit, or may be selective input by pull-down such as the type input field.

202 210 211 5 FIG. The container carry-out information areais provided with an input field for selecting whether automatic carry-outor cooperation carry-outcan be set. Here, a container for which “Yes” is selected can be selected in the group registration illustrated in.

300 301 1 5 6 302 2 326 301 302 100 327 301 302 100 4 FIG. The rack range setting screeninis provided with an areafor allocating a rack to be manually supplied when transporting from the rack loading unitto the analyzersand, a rack allocation areafor causing an empty rack to stand by in the rack storage unitin advance and automatically supplying the rack, a registration/update buttonfor registering a specimen or updating specimen information with content input to the information areasandand returning to the main screen, and a cancellation buttonfor discarding the content input to information areas,and returning to the main screen.

301 311 312 313 314 315 316 317 318 The manual supply areais provided with the areafor inputting a general specimen rack ID start number, the areafor inputting a general specimen rack ID end number, the areafor inputting a standard solution rack ID start number, the areafor inputting a standard solution rack ID end number, the areafor inputting an accuracy control specimen rack ID start number, the areafor inputting an accuracy control specimen rack ID end number, the areafor inputting a detergent rack ID start number, and the areafor inputting a detergent rack ID end number.

302 319 320 The automatic supply areais provided with the areafor inputting a container storage apparatus rack ID start number and the areafor inputting a container storage apparatus rack ID end number.

5 FIG. 2 FIG. 500 501 502 511 512 503 521 522 528 534 523 527 529 533 535 539 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen for registering a group. The group registration setting screenis a screen for setting a combination of containers to be carried out, and includes an areafor selecting a group name, an areafor inputting a normal carry-out condition, an areafor inputting an additional carry-out condition 1, an areafor inputting an additional carry-out condition 2, and an areafor inputting a cooperation carry-out condition. The group name can be selected (), and each area is provided with an input area (,,) so that a container transfer condition to a rack according to the number of times of carry-out can be specified. In addition, input fieldsto,to, andtofor specifying which position of the rack (here, five positions) the container is to be placed in are provided (selected from containers registered in).

551 18 521 550 The cooperation carry-out is provided with an input fieldfor specifying a group for which container carry-out is additionally performed after container transfer from the container storage apparatus to the rackfor the groupbeing set is performed. An input fieldis provided for specifying how many minutes should elapse before execution of carry-out of the associated group after the whole group is carried out.

6 FIG. 3 FIG. 5 FIG. 200 500 109 152 111 140 141 142 148 149 123 150 151 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen for setting a container carry-out time, that is, a screen for setting the carry-out time of the container set on the container information registration screeninor the group registration setting screenin. When the carry-out time tabis selected and a carry-out target module is selected in a carry-out target module selection area, in the container storage setting area, there are provided a combination ID field, a combination name field, and day-of-week fieldstofor displaying registered sample names and group names in a list form, and a scheduled carry-out time input fieldprovided at positions where the sample name and the day-of-week field intersect. The scroll buttonfor scrolling the display area of the information, a carry-out time registration buttonfor confirming the information when the container carry-out time is newly registered or updated, and a cancellation buttonfor discarding the input information are arranged.

5 6 5 6 5 6 5 6 In addition to the time, the container carry-out reservation may be specified based on the number of times a specimen probe is used in the analyzersand, a period of time when the analyzersandare in a standby state, a period of time when the analyzersandare in an operating state, and a maintenance execution state of the analyzersand.

7 FIG. 18 17 1 10 12 18 17 20 30 is a flowchart illustrating container storage processing. When the rack, on which the containercontaining a liquid such as a detergent or an accuracy control specimen is placed, is loaded into the rack loading unit(step S), the control unitreads identification information given to the rackor each container(step S), and records a loading time (step S).

40 15 41 18 16 42 40 4 50 17 4 4 60 17 4 18 4 17 4 4 4 4 e d d c f b h. Next, it is determined whether there is information on a liquid corresponding to the read identification information (step S). If the determination result is No, an alarm is displayed on the display unit(step S), the rackis transported to the rack collection unit(step S), and the processing is ended. If the determination result in step Sis Yes, it is determined whether there is a container storable space in the container storage apparatus(step S). If the determination result is Yes, the containeris transported to the transfer lineof the container storage apparatus(step S), the containeris taken out by the armfrom the rackon the transfer line, the armmoves the containerto the container ID acquisition unit, and the container ID is read. Thereafter, the discis rotated to move the empty compartmentto a position of the shutter

4 4 4 17 17 4 70 17 4 4 80 h d d b d h The shutteris opened by a motor, and a part of the lid is opened. After the opening of the lid, the armis moved from a barcode reading position to the opening portion while gripping the container, and the armmoved to above the opening portion is lowered while gripping the containerto store the containerin the compartment(step S). After the containeris stored, the armis raised and moved to the barcode reading position, entering a standby state. Thereafter, the shutteris closed, and the container storage process is completed. Thereafter, regarding the usability information of a liquid such as the accuracy control specimen, “usable” is recorded (step S), and the processing ends.

8 FIG. 7 FIG. 17 4 4 17 5 6 100 105 2 4 110 120 130 b e is a flowchart illustrating container carry-out processing, and illustrates a method of taking out the containerstored in the container storage apparatusinfrom the compartmentand transporting the containerto the analyzersand. When a container carry-out time comes, it is determined whether grouped containers are to be carried out (step S). In the case of Yes, a carry-out reservation is made for the grouped containers (step S), and in the case of No, it is determined whether there is a transport empty rack in the rack storage unitor at the transfer line(step S). Then, in the case of Yes, it is determined whether there is a usable detergent container (whether a container containing a detergent to be taken out is stored (whether a user has made a reservation for taking out but has forgotten to put in the container), whether there is a container but an expiration date of the detergent therein has passed, or the like) (step S), and in the case of Yes, it is determined whether a detergent remaining amount is sufficient (step S).

140 4 170 180 18 200 210 18 4 220 230 4 4 240 b b Next, it is determined whether an additional carry-out condition is satisfied (step S), and in the case of No, the transfer of the container from the compartmentis started (step S). Further, it is determined whether a cooperation carry-out condition is satisfied (step S), and in the case of No, the rackon which the container is placed is transported to the analyzer (step S). The detergent is consumed in the analyzer (step S), the rackis transported from the analyzer to the container storage apparatus(step S), the number of times of carry-out of the container is recorded in the memory (step S), the container is transferred from the rack to the compartmentof the container storage apparatus(step S), and the processing ends.

When there is no empty rack for container transport, an alarm is displayed and the processing ends. In addition, in the case of a request for carry-out in groups, transfer of grouped containers is reserved. It is determined whether there is a usable detergent, and in the case of No, an alarm is issued and the processing is stopped. It is determined whether the remaining amount is sufficient, and in the case of No, an alarm is issued and the processing is stopped.

150 160 150 160 180 190 In addition, it is determined whether the additional carry-out condition is satisfied, and in the case of Yes, it is determined whether an additional detergent is usable (step S). In the case of Yes, it is determined whether a remaining amount of the additional detergent is sufficient (step S), and in the case of Yes, the transfer of the container is started. It is determined whether an additional detergent is usable (step S), and in the case of No, an alarm is issued and the processing ends. It is determined whether the remaining amount of the additional detergent is sufficient (step S), and in the case of No, an alarm is issued and the processing is stopped. It is determined whether the cooperation carry-out condition is satisfied (step S), and in the case of Yes, a cooperation carry-out step is executed (step S).

9 FIG. 300 305 310 310 320 330 330 340 340 350 360 370 380 18 4 390 13 400 4 410 f is a flowchart illustrating cooperation carry-out processing after container carry-out. First, it is determined whether there is grouped container carry-out of cooperation carry-out (step S). In the case of Yes, a carry-out reservation is made for grouped containers (step S), and in the case of No, it is determined whether there is an empty rack for container transport (step S). In the case of Yes in step S, it is determined whether there is a usable accuracy control specimen container (whether a container containing an accuracy control specimen to be taken out is stored (whether the user has made a reservation for taking out but has forgotten to put in the container), whether there is a container but an expiration date of the accuracy control specimen therein has passed, or the like) (step S), and in the case of Yes, it is determined whether the remaining amount is sufficient (step S). In the case of Yes in step S, it is determined whether an additional carry-out condition is satisfied (step S). In the case of No in step S, the transfer of the accuracy control specimen container is in standby for a predetermined period of time, that is, Waiting for specimen carry-out is performed (step S). Thereafter, the accuracy control specimen container is transferred to the rack (step S), the rack on which the container is placed is transported to the analyzer (step S), the accuracy control specimen is consumed in the analyzer (step S), the rackis transported from the analyzer to the container storage apparatus(step S), the number of times of carry-out is recorded in the memory(step S), the container is transferred to the disc(step S), and the processing ends.

305 310 320 330 311 When the request for cooperation carry-out is grouped carry-out, a carry-out reservation for containers registered as a group is confirmed (step S). In the case of No in steps S, S, and S, an alarm is issued and the processing ends (step S).

340 341 Further, it is determined whether the additional carry-out condition is satisfied (step S), and in the case of Yes, it is determined whether there is a standard solution container registered in the additional carry-out condition (whether a container containing a standard solution to be taken out is stored (whether the user has made a reservation for taking out but has forgotten to put in the container), whether there is a container but an expiration date of the standard solution therein has passed, or the like) (step S).

342 350 341 311 342 311 In the case of Yes, it is determined whether the standard solution remaining amount in the additional container is sufficient (step S). In the case of Yes, Waiting for standard solution carry-out is executed (step S). It is determined whether there is a container registered in the additional carry-out condition (step S), and in the case of No, an alarm is issued and the processing ends (step S). It is determined whether the specimen in the additional container is sufficient (step S), and in the case of No, an alarm is issued and the processing ends (step S).

Operations of the embodiment configured as described above will be described.

14 15 First, the operator registers container information on a detergent, a standard solution, a specimen to be analyzed such as an accuracy control specimen by the operation unitor the like based on setting screens displayed on the display unit.

200 15 18 17 1 18 17 1 11 319 320 300 20 3 13 30 7 FIG. 7 FIG. For example, in a case of a container containing a detergent, the container information is registered based on a screen of the container information registration screendisplayed on the display unit. Subsequently, the rackon which the containercontaining the detergent is placed is loaded into the rack loading unit. When the rack, on which the containercontaining the detergent used for cleaning the analyzer as a specimen to be analyzed, is loaded into the rack loading unit, the rack ID acquisition unitchecks a rack ID (confirms that the rack ID is an ID number for the container storage apparatus indicated byandon the rack range setting) (step Sin). Identification information (ID) of a specimen is read by the container ID acquisition unit, a loading time is recorded, and specimen information (specimen code) stored in the memoryis referred to (step Sin).

3 200 18 40 4 17 4 50 4 4 60 15 41 18 16 42 7 FIG. 7 FIG. 7 FIG. 7 FIG. 7 FIG. b f e When the container information is acquired by the container ID acquisition unit, the container set on the container information registration screenis in the rack(step Sin), and there is the empty compartmentfor storing the containerin the corresponding disc(step Sin), the container is transported to the transfer lineof the container storage apparatus(step Sin). When there is no specimen information corresponding to the acquired identification information, an alarm is displayed on the display unit(step Sin), the rackis transported to the rack collection unit(step Sin), and the processing ends.

18 4 4 4 17 18 4 17 4 200 4 4 e d e c h b 3 FIG. After the rackis transported to the transfer lineof the container storage apparatus, the armgrips the containerplaced on the rackon the transfer line, the containeris transported from the transfer line onto the container ID acquisition unit, and a container ID is read and collated with the information displayed onin. During this time, the shutteris operated to allow access to the compartmentfrom the outside.

17 4 4 4 4 4 4 70 80 c h d b d h 7 FIG. 7 FIG. The containeris moved from the container ID acquisition unitto the shutterby the armand is stored in the compartment, then the armis retracted to the barcode reading position, and the shutteris closed (stepin). Then, regarding usability information of the specimen information, “usable” is recorded (step Sin), and the container storage processing is ended.

17 18 4 For the accuracy control specimen contained in the containerplaced on the rackheld in the container storage apparatusas described above is subjected to check processing for managing the usability thereof at all times or at predetermined intervals.

15 311 9 FIG. In the check processing, it is checked whether an expiration date set in accuracy control specimen information is exceeded, whether a remaining amount is equal to or less than a set value, and a period of stabilization after storage, and if determination results thereof are all NO, no operation is performed. When at least one condition is satisfied, the usability information is set to “not usable”, an alarm is displayed on the display unit(step Sin), and the processing is ended.

14 17 4 500 100 b 5 FIG. 8 FIG. As described above, when execution of the container carry-out processing is instructed by an input of an execution instruction using the operation unitor by compliance with an execution condition in a state where the containeris held in the compartment, first, it is determined whether grouped containers specified in the group registration setting screeninare to be carried out (step Sin).

110 130 500 2 4 110 120 130 15 5 FIG. 8 FIG. e In the case of grouped container carry-out, the determination of Sto Sis performed for each of the corresponding containers (in the case ofin, an ISE cleaning solution and a conditioner). In the case of non-grouped container carry-out, it is checked whether a rack is present in the rack storage unitor at the transfer line(Sin), whether there is a usable detergent container (S), and whether a remaining amount is sufficient (excluding a case where an empty container is stored) (S), and if at least one condition is not satisfied, an alarm is displayed on the display unit, and the container carry-out processing is ended.

140 511 512 528 534 529 150 160 170 5 FIG. 5 FIG. 5 FIG. When there are a usable specimen rack and a container containing a detergent, an additional carry-out condition is checked (step S). When the additional carry-out condition (,in) is set and the number of times of carry-out (,in) is satisfied, it is checked that an additional container (in) is registered (step S) and there is a remaining amount in the additional container (step S), the container to be transferred to the rack and a transfer position (Pos. 1 or the like) on the rack are determined, and the container transfer to the rack is started (step S).

180 200 240 18 17 5 6 5 6 200 5 6 17 17 5 6 5 6 210 8 FIG. a a c c d d d d When cooperation carry-out is not applied (step S), the rack on which the container is placed is transported to the analyzer via a transport unit after the transfer of all the containers is completed (steps Sto Sin). Then, the rack, on which the containeris placed, is moved to the sampling linesandof the analyzersand(step S), and the pipettersandare moved from a standby position to above the containerand lowered to come into contact with the detergent in the container. The pipetter coming into contact with the detergent aspirates the detergent, is raised while holding the detergent in its nozzle and moved to above the diluent tanksand, and discharges the detergent in the pipetter to the diluent tanksand(step S).

5 6 5 6 5 6 5 6 18 17 4 10 17 4 4 13 210 240 d d f f g g e b f 8 FIG. The detergent discharged to the diluent tanksandreaches the electrodesandvia the tubesand, and is discarded to the outside of the analyzer via a waste liquid tube (not shown). After the detergent is consumed in the analyzersand, the rackon which the containeris placed is transported again to the transfer linevia the return transport line, the containeris stored again in the compartmentof the disc, the number of times of carry-out of each container and the number of times of carry-out in a grouped state are recorded in the memory, and standby is performed until the next instruction is given (steps Sto Sin).

180 300 18 2 4 310 311 320 340 e When cooperation carry-out is applied (step S), it is determined whether grouped containers are to be carried out (step S), then it is checked whether the rackis in the rack storage unitor at the transfer line(step S), and when there is no usable rack, an alarm is displayed and the cooperation carry-out is stopped (step S). When there is a usable rack, it is determined whether there is only one container or a plurality of grouped containers requested by the cooperation carry-out. In the case of only one container, the subsequent processing is performed for the one container, and in the case of a plurality of grouped containers, the subsequent processing (steps Sto S) is performed for the plurality of containers.

320 330 15 311 Next, it is checked whether there is a usable accuracy control specimen (step S) and whether the remaining amount thereof is sufficient (excluding a case where an empty container is stored) (step S). When even one condition is not satisfied, an alarm is displayed on the display unit(step S), and the container carry-out processing is ended.

18 340 When there are a usable rackand a container containing the accuracy specimen, an additional carry-out control condition is checked (step S). When the additional carry-out condition is set and the number of times of carry-out is satisfied, it is checked that an additional container is registered and there is a remaining amount in the additional container (excluding a case where an empty container is stored), and a container to be transferred to the rack and a transfer position (Pos. 1 or the like) on the rack are determined.

550 360 410 170 200 240 17 17 17 5 FIG. 8 FIG. After the transfer position on the rack is determined, standby is performed for the elapse of a preset period of time (30 minutes in the example ofin). Thereafter, the container transfer is started, and the steps Sto Ssame as steps Sand Sto Sinare executed. When an empty container is transported to the analyzer, specimen aspiration from the containeris not performed. A specimen nozzle is lowered into the empty container, and then water is discharged from the specimen nozzle. The containeris filled with water, and the specimen nozzle is immersed.

Effects of the embodiment configured as described above will be described.

In general, detergents used for maintenance of an automatic analyzer are procured from a device manufacturer and stored and managed according to a method specified by the manufacturer (for example, storing at room temperature or in cold storage in a dark room). These detergents are necessary for removing contamination of apparatus components (for example, a pipetter for dispensing, a diluent tank, and a flow channel for passing a specimen) and maintaining a good apparatus state. In addition, when the apparatus is cleaned, it is also necessary to use an accuracy control specimen to check whether the same analysis result as that before cleaning can be obtained. When the same analysis result cannot be obtained, it is necessary to perform management to obtain the same analysis result by recalibrating an electrode and a reagent by using a standard solution.

However, when the detergent is filled in a container and provided and used in the apparatus at room temperature, condensation of a detergent component due to evaporation and volatilization or decomposition of the detergent component occur, and a stable effect cannot be obtained over a long period of time. Therefore, when using such a detergent, it is necessary that the detergent is stored in an external refrigerator, a user takes out the detergent from the external refrigerator every time the detergent is used, a scheduled consumption amount is dispensed into a container corresponding to the analyzer, the container containing the detergent is provided to the apparatus, and a cleaning process is instructed from an operation unit of the apparatus.

Since the cleaning process takes time (for example, 1 hour), if the detergent and the accuracy control specimen are simultaneously prepared and set in the apparatus, and the cleaning process is started, the accuracy control specimen is consumed from waiting for the completion of the cleaning process. Thus, there is a problem that the accuracy control specimen is condensed or enzymes in the accuracy control specimen are inactivated during the cleaning process, and a correct measurement result cannot be obtained.

On the other hand, in the embodiment, a container containing a detergent is stored in a container storage apparatus having a cold insulation function, the container storage apparatus is connected to an analyzer, the detergent container is taken out at a time specified by a user, transported to the analyzer, and a cleaning process is performed. In addition, different cleaning processes can be executed according to the number of executions of the cleaning process. Further, by creating a program in advance, the accuracy control specimen is taken out after the cleaning process and transported to the analyzer, so that the accuracy control can be performed without degrading the quality of the accuracy control specimen. Accordingly, it is possible to reduce a user's burden on maintenance and accuracy control and appropriately maintain and manage the analyzer.

1 : rack loading unit 2 : rack storage unit 3 1 : container ID acquisition unit (of rack loading unit) 4 4 : container storage unit 4 a : identification information reader 4 b : compartment 4 4 c : container ID acquisition unit (of container management device) 4 d : arm 4 e : transfer line 4 f : disc 4 g : refrigeration unit 4 h : shutter 5 6 ,: analyzer 5 c : pipetter 5 d : diluent tank 5 f : electrode 5 g : tube 9 : feed transport line 10 : return transport line 11 : rack ID acquisition unit 12 : control unit 13 : memory 14 : operation unit 15 : display unit 16 : rack collection unit 17 : container 18 : rack